Dr. Miles or Dr. Schmitt patients

[Sylvia702 0]

Hey!! I went to my first consult with Dr Schmitt. He was awesome...very careful in his explanations and considerate. I was given the next list of things to do to get my surgery.

1. Primare care physician

a. medical clearance and lab tests

b. review of meds. if too big will need to crush or diff med

c. if diabetic- learn insulin sliding scale

d. sleep apnea evaluation

2. Attend support group

3. Attend surgery/nutrition class. ($60)

So, I have already scheduled appts with primary care and sleep study. The next support group is April 17th. Nutrition classes April 7, Apr 14 or Apr 28.

ARRGGG....I have so many mixed emotions. I am so nervous that the band just isnt going to work. I have read and read and read some more. I have already started exercising (after years of sitting on the couch) its a slow start, but am gradually building up. I have stopped smoking and no carbonated sodas. I even am grilling my food rather that sautee and deep frying. Ok so my bmi is like 38 and cant drop much further (insurance purposes)....so I cant be over- zealous with my diet. I guess my big question is....I could always diet, but never keep it off. How do you know the band will work? I have always failed before. Dont get me wrong...I want this very bad!!! I am not going in it to fail. What's that saying?? Im in it... to win it!! Need a bit of reassurance from you veterans. Does the restriction curb your appetite as well as decrease you portions? Any pep talk or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edited March 31, 2010 by Sylvia702

[kaninag 35]

Hey!! I went to my first consult with Dr Schmitt. He was awesome...very careful in his explanations and considerate. I was given the next list of things to do to get my surgery.

1. Primare care physician

a. medical clearance and lab tests

b. review of meds. if too big will need to crush or diff med

c. if diabetic- learn insulin sliding scale

d. sleep apnea evaluation

2. Attend support group

3. Attend surgery/nutrition class. ($60)

So, I have already scheduled appts with primary care and sleep study. The next support group is April 17th. Nutrition classes April 7, Apr 14 or Apr 28.

ARRGGG....I have so many mixed emotions. I am so nervous that the band just isnt going to work. I have read and read and read some more. I have already started exercising (after years of sitting on the couch) its a slow start, but am gradually building up. I have stopped smoking and no carbonated sodas. I even am grilling my food rather that sautee and deep frying. Ok so my bmi is like 38 and cant drop much further (insurance purposes)....so I cant be over- zealous with my diet. I guess my big question is....I could always diet, but never keep it off. How do you know the band will work? I have always failed before. Dont get me wrong...I want this very bad!!! I am not going in it to fail. What's that saying?? Im in it... to win it!! Need a bit of reassurance from you veterans. Does the restriction curb your appetite as well as decrease you portions? Any pep talk or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

WOW--u sound just like I did a little over 2 years ago...I was just like you...diet after diet...never could lose...geez I worried myself CONSTANTLY about which diet I was gonna try next...I worked out though not consistently but over the years I would get in some workouts...NEVER could lose and keep it off UNTIL I got the band....U follow the plan...do what you should U WILL LOSE the WEIGHT!!!!!!! That list looks long but will take no time to complete...and before you know it you'll be sitting on my side telling someone else who feels just like you do now that they can do it!!!!! Its going to be a journey, its going to be tough....but with the support of fellow lapbanders and your determination...you'll pull thru just fine!!!!! Good luck to you---we're always here if you need us.

[NuLyfe 0]

Hey Everyone,

I am glad to say that I am back on track. I have been doing great. I went in on Monday to get a fill and I have been working out. I swim 20 laps four days a week, do Water fitness four days a week, work out in the gym four days a week, and I walk 2 miles at least 5 days a week. I have lost 1 lb since Monday. Yay me. I will not get back off track. I will be at my goal by Oct or Dec.

[busdriver1 0]

Sylvia I was like you about dieting and all and always lost but put it back on and have been banded for 9 months and have lost between 80 and 85 lbs. I was worried about gaining it back to but I realize now that I don't think I will 1 reason I can not eat near as much as i used to even when i was dieting and I feel so much better. I do not regret getting banded at all never have and feel like this is permanent because food does not mean now what it used to mean i live for life itself not just food anymore.

[Bamablondie1 0]

Hi guys! Haven't been on here in awhile.... How is everyone! I am still waiting and waiting. This is the longest 6/7 months ever!

*chuckles* It does go slow at first. Rest assured, once you get to the halfwayish mark it speeds up!

[bandofhope 1]

Hi people..

If you don't mind I am interested in everyone's band fill amounts...at 13 months after surgery i am at 5 cc's..I really feel I need more restriction. I have only lost 55 pounds since my surgery and I feel like I am able to take in more food than I should. I know it is different for everyone, but am rather curious for comparison. thanks and I appreciate your reply!:cool:

[LollyMoe 1]

Band of Hope: I am 7 months out, have lost 77 pounds, and have 8.5cc in my Realize band which holds 11ccs. I am very close to what they call "my sweet spot". Good luck on your journey.

[LollyMoe 1]

Sylvia: Looks like you are on your way in this new journey. The time will go by faster than you think. Now is the time to practice smaller bites, chew, chew, chew your food, no drinking while eating (must wait 30 min), small sips, no straws also. I practiced all of the above and it helped me a lot when I actually got the band.

I want to let you know that it might take awhile for you to get to the "just right" restriction with your band. Don't get discouraged...it will come. Everyone is different and our story may not match yours at all.

Good luck. We're here anytime you need to ask anything.

[Sylvia702 0]

Lollymoe, thank you for the encouragement. I will practice chewing tiny bites. It really is harder than you think at first. I have to be thinking about chewing the entire time I eat....good thing being accountable for every bite going into my mouth.

Thanks again. Sylvia

[LollyMoe 1]

Hey Everyone. You were missed at support group today. Ashley gave a presentation on all the Vitamins and why we need them. She also had a great question/answer time. Sorry you missed it.

MAY meeting is MAY 15th. Mark your calendar now and plan to come. You really need to set aside this time for yourself, so try to come. You know how important group is to you and to others that need to hear your journey.

[busdriver1 0]

Hey Everyone. You were missed at support group today. Ashley gave a presentation on all the Vitamins and why we need them. She also had a great question/answer time. Sorry you missed it.

MAY meeting is MAY 15th. Mark your calendar now and plan to come. You really need to set aside this time for yourself, so try to come. You know how important group is to you and to others that need to hear your journey.

Well i got it worked out where i could come and was so excited about getting to come when i thought i couldn't and my car messed up, I almost cried. But i will be there in may the good lord willing and the creek don't rise

[Fordgal88 7]

I hated missing, but this was my son's spring break and we went to Chattanooga. I really wish we could have it more than once a month. Especially on a Saturday. The next one will be pushing it too, we have a baseball game and my son's senior prom that day. I am still gonna try and come. I will just have to be organized.

Everything is good on this end. I did have a nasty bug and ended up with a TERRIBLE sore throat. It was swollen all the way down to my band! My chest hurt so bad, Of course they gave me these pills that would choke a horse! I had to chop them up into little pieces. Luckily yesterday and today, it started feeling MUCH better.

I have another appt with the plastic surgeon in May to resubmit my info to the insurance. Hopefully now that I have changed it will work!

Hope everyone is well!

=)

Shawna

[kaninag 35]

ugh I was some PS done sooooo bad :-) I want my arms and my boobs but boobs will be too expensive..LOL

Just trying to get some convo going everybody has been so quiet...hope all is well.

[Fordgal88 7]

Wow it has been quiet on here. I have had a lot going on. My grandfather passed away on the 26th of April and we have been dealing with that. I lived with my grandparents growing up (my mom worked nights at the post office). So he was really my only father figure. But he had been terrible sick the last year and at least now he is at peace.

My PS appt is this Friday. I am hoping things go better this go round. If I get approved, I haven't decided when I would like to get it done. I think I will have more time in the fall, but our really slow time is in July. I will have to see what the recovery time is and decide from there.

Hoping to make it to group. I am pretty sure I can squeeze it in. My son's senior prom is Saturday and I have to do his girlfriends hair and I have to take their pics.

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

[Fordgal88 7]

Had my PS appt yesterday. He said he is pretty certain I will get approved. He had me meet with his pt. specialist and she said he was usually right. They are going to submit it next week and it will take 3-8 weeks to find out. Which is fine, I am not in too big of a hurry. My out of pocket expenses will only be $1,800. Wayyy cheaper than I expected. I have seen people pay anywhere from $4,000 - $7,000. That will be a full Tummy Tuck. They will tighten everything up and contour my tummy. He said that they will make the incision across the bottom and then it is possible depending on the amount of skin, they might make one to go up the middle of my abdomen. I am fine either way. I don't plan on wearing a bikini, I just want to feel better about myself and be able to tuck my shirt in again!! I haven't been able to tuck my shirt in for 19 years!

Hope everyone is well!!! How are you all doing? I am guessing pretty good since you are obviously out having so much fun you don't have time to check in here....LOL

=)

Shawna